UH Hilo student wins coveted award at annual UH Systemwide symposium

A marine science student in the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Marine Option Program (MOP) took top honors in the 28th Annual Marine Option Program Student Symposium, held recently at Leeward Community College on Oʻahu.

Sebastian Baca, a senior, captured the award for Best Overall Research Paper and the PACON Award (Pacific Congress on Marine Science and Technology), recognizing the best presentation bridging marine science and technology with a Pacific focus for his project on “The Effect of Water Density on the Performance and Efficiency of Electrically-Based Motor and Propeller Assemblies: An Experimental Analysis.” He was advised by UH Hilo Physics Professor Dr. Philippe Binder and Darryl Watanabe from the UH Institute for Astronomy.

Baca’s award marked the 18th time that a UH Hilo MOP student has won the category of Best Overall Research Paper during the symposium’s 23-year history. Fellow UH Hilo students Senifa Annandale, Keith Hernandez, Megan Stoltzfus, and Brian Yannutz also presented their work at the MOP Symposium.

The UH Hilo MOP is a hands-on program open to students in any field of study who have an interest in the ocean.